Nigerian army operatives opened fire to disperse peaceful protesters in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (LGA), Bayelsa State, on Thursday.
These protesters were the community’s youth who were aggrieved about the murder of a farmer. They claimed a Fulani herdsman operating in the farmlands of Kaiama Community killed the farmer.
Ijaw youth took to the streets, demanding that the government and traditional authorities expel the Fulani herdsmen from the community because of their propensity to violence. They were soon joined by security operatives supposedly from the Joint Military Task Force (JMTF), who opened fire on them and dispersed the protest.
A video recording of the incident was shared on X by Chuks, an influencer, at 3 pm on Thursday. The clip shows the protesters erupt into chaos, turning around and running as gunshots tore through the air. The man recording reiterates that the protesters want the northern settlers to leave their communities.
“The soldiers are shooting at us. Soldiers are shooting at us,” the protester repeated as he jogged to safety.
This is not the first time soldiers have suppressed protests in Bayelsa with violence.
In June 2023, soldiers killed Ikiowori Benson, a man from Sangana Community in Bayelsa, after they opened fire indiscriminately during a youth-led protest.
Three Bayelsa youths were also shot dead by security operatives during a protest in Otuasega Community against the neglect of the Otuasega-Imiringi Road in 2021.
One of the witnesses of the disruption on Thursday told Sahara Reporters that they were seeking to address the farmer’s killing. “One of our brothers was attacked on his farm and left for dead. Instead of addressing the issue, they are now turning against us,” the witness said.
The authorities have yet to civilly respond to the situation in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.
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